**All media below is the opinion of an individual student and therefore does not represent or speak to the values of Vestavia Hills High School and Vestavia Hills City Schools**
Thanksgiving exists as one of the many festivities to take place near the end of the year. Celebrated on the last Thursday in November, this traditional North American holiday marks the conclusion of fall and the onset of winter, meaning that it takes place right in between two of the most popular holidays in the United States: Halloween and Christmas. For this reason, Thanksgiving is often overlooked. Many Americans claim that the holiday just does not offer the same joy and excitement that the other two do, but how is any celebration expected to follow the lively spirit of Halloween or precede the magical essence of Christmas? Hopefully, by demonstrating the holiday’s importance and relation to family, I can explain how this is possible.
The whole point of Thanksgiving is for people to express gratitude and acknowledgment to their loved ones. Whether it’s a parent, grandparent, sibling, or other family members, showing appreciation to the people who raised and helped shape you as a person is one of the most meaningful things that you can do. The term “loved ones,” however, does not just signify family; it can also relate to friendships. Me, I know that I would not be the person that I am today without the majority of my friends. They represent a kind of loyalty and trust that I have never experienced with anybody else. Ultimately, the relationships that you form between your friends and family are some of the most important ones that you will ever create, so why not illustrate that through giving thanks?
Of course, people could make a point to let their loved ones know how much they care every day, but would this commitment last? The truth is, most people are far too busy and preoccupied with that, which is why Thanksgiving is so important. It reminds people to take the time out of their day to give thanks and exhibit appreciation for their friends and family.
Not only that, but it offers loved ones the chance to reconnect with one another after months, or possibly years, of separation. Besides, it is not uncommon for family members to live spread out from one another. I have several family members living outside of the United States who only visit during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Because I don’t get to see them a lot, I look forward to this time of the year and the time that I get to spend with them. When we sit around the table, eating delicious food and talking for hours on end, we establish a closer bond and understanding with each other. This outcome is one that only Thanksgiving could achieve.
Nevertheless, some people disagree with that statement. According to them, Christmas allows for just as many, if not better, opportunities to celebrate and commemorate loved ones. In reality, Christmas does provide people with extra family time. It represents a joyous time of year that lifts spirits and brings light during the cold, winter months. However, when it comes to prioritizing family values, Christmas just doesn’t compare. Yes, the celebration is characterized by gift-giving, but how does this relate to actual family time? For most children, their priorities lie with the presents that they will receive, not the time that they will share, making Thanksgiving the only holiday to focus on expressing gratitude to loved ones.
Even though Thanksgiving happens to land right before Christmas and right after Halloween, it still doesn’t deserve to be regarded as a “forgotten” or “less important” holiday. And ultimately, the time spent giving thanks to family and friends should be reason enough.
Comments